Tour de France for Prisoners

Nearly 200 French prisoners will take part from June 4 to June 19 in the first Penitentiary Tour de France, a 2,300 kilometer (that's 1400 miles for Americans, or 5 million cubits for those of you who fancy King James English) bicycle tour through the French countryside. The 196 prisoners will leave Lille with 124 guards, other penitentiary staff and coaches traveling with them. Breakaway sprints will not be allowed in this bike ride.

I can't imagine why someone would want to escape from a prison where they're treated to things like 2 week bicycle tours through the French countryside. In the real world the best I can manage is a daily 8 mile commute. One of these days I hope to fit a vacation in.